Between about 1590 and 1613, Shakespeare wrote at least 37 plays and collaborated on several more. His 17 comedies include The Merchant of Venice and Much Ado About Nothing. Among his 10 history plays are Henry V and Richard III. The most famous among his tragedies are Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth.

When did Shakespeare write his first play?

What is Shakespeare's earliest play? His earliest play is probably one of the three parts of King Henry VI (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3), written between 1589–1591.

What time period did Shakespeare write?

During what period did William Shakespeare live and work? The Elizabethan era gets its name from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. 2.